Here at Her Campus we know just how important it is to take care of your mental health during the school year. As undergraduates, we lead busy lives with homework, jobs, clubs. and internships, so it’s no surprise that we get overwhelmed and put our mental health on the back burner. College is a stressful environment and according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), mental health issues are a widespread dilemma on college campuses with one in four students having a diagnosable illness. Guess what: the University of Utah is no exception.Â
Reaching out for help is an intimidating and hard process. According to a survey conducted by NAMI about 40% of students do not seek help even if they feel so anxious they struggle with school or are overwhelmed by their responsibilities and are dealing with with depression. There is a stigma associated with mental illness that often stops people from seeking out resources because don’t want to conform to negative stereotypes or be perceived as less than. We need to work to fight this perception of mental health because taking care of ourselves mentally should be encouraged, not shamed. It can be a difficult to ask for help so we’ve tried to make it easier by laying out all of the available resources on campus. Take the step and reach out.
The University Counseling Center
The University Counseling Center (UCC) is a great resource for students to talk to a counselor about emotional issues, stress, mental illness and relationship problems. The UCC is located on campus in room 426 of the Student Services Building and is open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. Call in at 801-581-6826 or go in person to schedule a free initial intake or to see if there are any same day openings. After your intake a counselor will be assigned to you or you will be referred to an outside resource. Individual appointments will be $12.00 for each session. Watch this informational video here about what to expect from your first appointment and then explore the UCC website here to see what online resources they have to offer. Taking steps to improve your mental health is important to your well being and the UCC is a wonderful place to start.
Groups
Therapy Groups through the UCC are alternatives to one on one counseling and are one of the more beneficial treatment options. It’s therapeutic to share your thoughts and feelings about the struggles in your life with others that are going through similar experiences. It creates a supportive community and help alleviate feelings of loneliness. There are often fears assoicated with group therapy so click here to read about why these are safe and productive environments. Below are a variety of groups offered at the U ranging from no cost to $5 per session.
- Women Empowering Women Monday from 1:00-2:30
- The Freakin’ Amazing LGBTQ Group Monday from 3:00-4:30
- Growth Through Connection (Co-Ed Interpersonal Process Group) Tuesday from 1:00-2:30
- Self-Compassion Group Tuesday from 1:30-3:00
- Merging Paths of Wellness Thursday from 12:30-2:00
The UCC also offers Support Groups that cost $20 for the semester. Those are listed below and you can register for them online here.
- Sharing and Caring Grief Group Wednesday 12:00-1:00
- Faith and Doubt Thursday 1:00-2:00pm
If you are looking for more information on any of the above groups click here. If you would like to join one then contact Karen Cone-Uemura at kcone-uemura@sa.utah.edu or 801-581-6826.Â
Mindfulness Clinic
Mindfulness is about bringing one’s complete attention to the present moment in your life. It has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, and can help those who practice it handle their difficult emotions. The UCC offers a 30 Minute Mindfulness Meditation on Mondays at 12:30 pm. There is no registration required and students can attend as many times as they would like to. The UCC offeres online instruction on mindfulness here.Â
Workshops
Feel Better Now: Skills for Managing Anxiety and Sadness is a free workshop offered through the Mindfulness Clinic. It will teach students valuable ways to manage anxiety and sadness in their lives. It is offered Tuesdays at noon and Wednesdays at 11:00am. Read more about this opportunity and register here.
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Mental health is an important part of your well being, so take advantage of the resources around you whether that be the UCC or a trusted friend. Be kind to yourself, and don’t let the negative stereotypes keep you from seeking the help you need.
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